Ditka Dash hit the Chicagoland area strongly the 30th of November. The Ditka Dash 5K run is taken place in the month of November or also known as Movember, where men and women around the world come together and raise awareness and funds towards men’s health such as prostate and testicular cancer. The race is portrayed by the runners looking like former coach of the 1985-1986 Super Bowl Champions, the Chicago Bears, Mike Ditka. Runner were supplied with costume like items in the race to look like the Hall of Famer.

Joliet West staff was also part of this historical event. West teachers Mr. Gentile and Mr. Karczewski and counselors Mrs. Palmer and Mrs. Austin were supporting the great cause as well. “As a bears fan and Ditka fan, I thought the Ditka Dash was well marketed and really fun.  They gave runners a t-shirt, and the mustache and aviators to mimic Ditka’s look.  The weather was nice, so it made the run along the lake enjoyable.  Then afterward, some of the runners joined the fanBEARlance to eat breakfast burritos and listen to some fun music (courteousy of Mr. Karczewski and Mr. Gentile)” according to Ms. Palmer.

The race did not go through Soldier Field but, it did have the starting and end point near the stadium. An estimated 2,000 people from five different waves. It was an event that the one and only Mike Ditka showed up to.

“It was a lot of fun! We drove the FanBEARlance up for the race, cooked and played music for all of the runners which included my wife, Mr. Karczewski’s wife, Mr. Locke’s wife, Ms. Palmer and some other friends of ours,” says Mr. Gentile.